Apology issued after mix up enforcing school lunch policy

TAMA - The South Tama School District is apologizing today for a mix up in enforcing a school lunch policy at the high school on Tuesday that resulted in cafeteria workers taking away lunches for approximately 20 students.

School policy says that students who owe $10 or more on a lunch card are not allowed to charge another lunch on the account. Instead, those students are given an alternative lunch.

School officials say the policy has not been properly enforced for some time at the high school and the decision was made to enforce it in an improper manner to students on Tuesday.

The school district issued a letter of apology to all students.  Superintendent Kerri Nelson has told staff that the taking away of food was improper and should not happen again.

Nelson acknowledged there are hurt feelings among the students, and the staff are embarrassed it happened.

“The taking away of food really elevated the issue,” Nelson said.